Montgomery Township residents were startled on Monday afternoon when a small aircraft came down on Township Road 523. At approximately 2:41 p.m., the Wooster Dispatch Center received a call reporting a plane crash in the area.
Crash details
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrived quickly and found that the aircraft, a 1968 twin‑engine Beechcraft Baron B55, had first struck a cornfield before colliding with a nearby home. The plane came to rest in a field adjacent to the residence.
People involved
The aircraft was being flown by 74‑year‑old Richard Nardone of Wapwallopen, Pennsylvania, who was traveling eastbound from Vermilion, Illinois, to Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by 25‑year‑old Christina Stephens of Wilkes‑Barre, Pennsylvania. Both the pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene before being released.
A homeowner who was inside the house at the time of the impact was unharmed.
Official response
Ohio State Highway Patrol Sergeant Daniel Kumor said, “It could have been very bad. So yes, we got lucky. The pilot, the occupant, the passenger, very lucky, everybody’s okay.” A nearby farmer, who was preparing to plant wheat, called 911 after seeing the plane descend and reported smelling fuel, prompting a rapid evacuation of the area.
Sergeant Kumor added that the Federal Aviation Administration will conduct an investigation and that cleanup efforts are underway. The crash remains under investigation.
Community impact
Local emergency responders praised the swift actions of the farmer and first‑responders, noting that the quick reporting and evacuation helped prevent any serious injuries. Residents expressed relief that the incident did not result in greater harm.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and rapid response in rural communities, especially during agricultural activities.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
